KORESPONDUJEMY Z PRZYJACIÓŁMI Z ZAGRANICY

Dear friends,
I have prepared a brief tale for the traditional Bulgarian celebration on
1st of March.
First of March is an ancient typical Bulgarian holiday. The people refers
that day to the approaching of the spring, to the changes in the nature
after the severe winter.
Following the tradition on 1st of March some pagan rituals are performed.
Their aim is to drive away the evil spirits and thoughts and to attract the
prosperity!
Early, on 1st of March (before sunrise) the womanhood in the family wakes up
and makes ''martenitzas''for the relatives, friends, neighbours etc.
Then the wife of the householder cleans the whole house with the youths and
the courtyard also, saying some special charming words to scare away the
evil from the house. The collected rubbish is being burnt accompying with
the charming words too.
The womanhood in house throws over the balconies, roof and fences the rugs
and clothes with a predominance of the red color. They believe that in such
way the sun could be attracted and their house would be filled up with a
warmth!
The most important tradition that day is to bind with a ''martenitza'' each
number of your family even the animals.
The traditional martenitza is made by white and red wool and coton threads
which are twisted to the right and left directions.
In the Bulgarian folklore the red color symbolizes the masculine beginning
and the white color- the female one. Their connection - creation of a new
life...
The ''martenitza'' is a magic! A magic that protects from evil and attracts
the prosperity , a magic that put the beginning of something new and
creative....
We are ready to give it as a present to all the people in the world!
We wish you all the best by giving you virtually that martenitzas!

Best regards,
Milena

On behalf of Tauria Staff
Bulgaria